Friday morning 0500 hours, Jenkins close, Plymouth a lifetimes ambition was about to become a reality, donning my boots, leggings, bike jacket and helmet raring to ride. The weather was not so good but who cares I was just about to straddle a Harley 1200 Custom Sport not only was it my ambition to own one but to attend my first ever rally on a Harley, sheer heaven. My brother - in - law Bill was to follow on a Harley 883. 0530 primed and ready, key in the ignition, petrol on vroom the roar of the engine- heaven. Ready to go, Dover next stop. The ride to Dover was good tailing my brother- in law Bill arriving at Dover with apprehension of what was the ride going to be like once we arrived in Calais. Managed to get some sleep on the boat, then with a loud voice booming over the loud speaker the ships captain announced that we were docking in Calais. Once again the adrenalin started to flow. The roar of bikes that had boarded the boat in Dover all primed and ready to disembark was a fantastic sight. At last we were on foreign soil. Bill taking the lead, myself tucked in nicely behind. Burning tarmac to Belgium with every mile that past us was one mile closer, at this point may I point out that my sister-in-law Lorraine was in the lead car, bill and me tucked in very nicely behind. Eventually getting closer to our destination we stopped for petrol and a comfort break the other side of Brussels, ready to go looking at the sky which was rather dreary Bill suggested that we put our all weather gear on, I managed to talk him out of it and yes you've guessed it 15 minutes into our journey the heavens opened and suffice to say we were getting very wet. I can honestly say in all my years of bike riding it was the first time I didn't care about the rain. Eventually we arrived at our destination soaked, tired and hungry and ready for a large whiskey, the time was 19:30pm. We parked the bikes and went straight up to the bar, now I must confess not being a hardened drinker it was not long before the whiskey and the wine started to take effect. Must thank Bill and Lorraine for erecting my tent in the dark and wet weather whilst I "socialised", just a posh word for getting drunk.
Saturday Morning. The day I have been waiting for has finally arrived. Breakfast out of the way hanging around waiting for the word to go at last enthusiasts all around getting ready to go the roar of the engines the smell of petrol and the adrenalin kicking in bikes all lined up ready to go. Indians & Harleys revving up we're off the rally had started.
What a fantastic sight so many bikes riding through the streets out riders doing a fantastic job stopping cars at the junctions and leading the way, two hours had gone by when we made our first stop, a sandwich and a coffee were much needed at this point well yet again the weather was to put a few people off from carrying on with the journey rain and more rain but having travelled all this way to fulfill my ambition I was not going to let the weather spoil it for me, off we go again riding through the streets and after about an hour the weather turned really sunny, maybe the day would not be a washout after all. Yet again after a short while we stopped again this time it was a tour round a brewery. Twas an old building with an archway leading to a courtyard, we walked through into the courtyard to music from a band playing and punters drinking at the seating area, where I sat listening to the band and taking in the atmosphere. Time to go again the final leg of the journey back to camp did not take long. What a day, can't put into words the way I felt when I got back

Saturday Night The smell of burning charcoal filtering around the camp, music coming from the barn, Bill, Lorraine and myself made our way to the barn, the bar and the food was fantastic, then it started the cabaret now the worlds press have always reported that ELVIS was not dead, little did I realise that he was making a living in a barn in Belgium. Well the night progressed and yes you've guessed it, it did not take long for me to get drunk, off to bed with the sound of Elvis in the background.
Sunday Morning boy oh boy what a hangover.  One eye open, one eye shut looking around my tent trying to remember how I got there, I look to my right and there she was a rubber doll that somebody thought would be a good idea to put in my tent, I suspect it was my brother-in-law Bill but he denies it.
Sunday Mid Morning Having a lazy morning, after breakfast, sobering up, some friends of bill & Lorraine called round for a chat it was then that they decided to go for a run, to which they kindly invited me along. The ride was a good one stopping a couple of times for a break.
Sunday Nightwas a quiet night out for dinner with friends then back to camp for an early night.
Monday Morning Well packing up time, getting ready to go home.  All the gear packed in the car and time to say goodbye to all the new friends that I have made, off we go back to Calais feeling sad. Eventually we arrived back in England making our way back to Plymouth, 18:30 we pulled into Jenkins Close the end of a journey.  Secretly, under my breath, I thank god for keeping us safe on such a long journey.  When we got in and started to take our bike gear off that's when I realised that it was the end of my dream, but a dream that I will never forget - my first rally.
I could not end this dream without thanking my Brother-in-law Bill for having the faith and trust in me and letting me borrow his Harley to fulfil a dream and Lorraine, Bills wife, for putting up with me.

Your friend
Will Fragola (No more a rally virgin) and the blonde bimbo
P.S. I can't end this story without saying a big hello and thank you to the many new friends that I made.  Too many names to remember i.e. Pete and Anita, Roly and Claude and not forgetting Nobby. Hope to see you all soon, stay safe.